🫁 Lungs and Respiratory System: How Kids Breathe
Learn the parts, how breathing works, how oxygen gets into blood, and tips to keep lungs healthy.
What Is the Respiratory System?
When we breathe, the respiratory system takes in oxygen and sends out carbon dioxide. Cells need a constant supply of fresh oxygen to live and work. This exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide is called respiration.
Parts of the Respiratory System
👃 Nose, Mouth, and Pharynx
- • Nose warms, moistens, and filters incoming air (cilia catch particles)
- • Mouth is an alternate air entry
- • Pharynx is a shared pathway for air and food
🔊 Larynx and Trachea
- • Larynx (voice box) contains vocal cords
- • Epiglottis protects airway during swallowing
- • Trachea (windpipe) has rings to keep it open and cilia to sweep debris
🌳 Bronchi, Bronchioles, and Alveoli
- • Bronchi branch into smaller bronchioles
- • Alveoli are tiny air sacs where gas exchange happens
- • Hundreds of millions of alveoli provide a large surface area
🫀 Thorax and Diaphragm
- • Thorax (rib cage and muscles) protects lungs and heart
- • Diaphragm is the main breathing muscle
- • Pleura is a thin lining covering the lungs
How Does Breathing Happen?
The diaphragm moves down and the rib muscles lift the ribs to expand the chest cavity during inhalation, pulling air into the lungs. During exhalation, the diaphragm moves up and the chest wall relaxes, pushing air out.
Inhale
Chest expands, air enters
Airways
Air flows to bronchi and bronchioles
Alveoli
Oxygen enters blood, CO₂ leaves
Exhale
Chest relaxes, air exits
How Does Gas Exchange Work?
In alveoli, oxygen moves into nearby capillaries (diffusion) where red blood cells carry it to the heart and body. Carbon dioxide moves from blood into the alveoli to be exhaled.
- • Alveoli + capillaries create a large exchange surface
- • Oxygen binds to hemoglobin in red blood cells
- • CO₂ returns from body tissues to lungs for removal
How to Keep Your Child's Lungs Healthy
Daily Habits
- • Encourage regular physical activity
- • Avoid secondhand smoke and vaping exposure
- • Practice good hand hygiene to reduce infections
- • Keep up with recommended vaccinations
When to See a Doctor
- • Frequent coughing or wheezing
- • Shortness of breath or chest pain
- • Persistent colds or lung infections
- • Concerns about asthma or allergies
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ What does the diaphragm do?
It is the main breathing muscle that helps pull air in and push air out by changing chest size.
❓ How do the lungs clean themselves?
Cilia in the airway sweep out mucus and trapped particles; coughing helps clear the larger airways.
❓ What’s the difference between bronchi and bronchioles?
Bronchi are the larger tubes coming off the trachea; bronchioles are the smaller branches leading to alveoli.
📝Key Takeaways About the Respiratory System
- ✓Respiration exchanges oxygen and carbon dioxide to fuel the body.
- ✓Breathing uses the diaphragm and chest muscles to move air.
- ✓Gas exchange happens in the alveoli with nearby capillaries.
- ✓Healthy habits and avoiding smoke help protect kids' lungs.
⚠️Medical Disclaimer
The information provided on this page about the lungs and respiratory system, breathing, and related health topics is for educational purposes only and should not be used as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Every child is unique and respiratory concerns require individual assessment by qualified healthcare professionals.
Always consult with your child's pediatrician or qualified healthcare provider if you have concerns about breathing, coughing, wheezing, chest pain, or other symptoms. For medical emergencies, call 911 or visit your nearest emergency room immediately. Content compiled from trusted pediatric health references and medically reviewed educational resources.